News of the Duelling Club spread like wildfire through Hogwarts. Even Neville, who usually showed little interest in extracurricular activities, was secretly asking if a single person could participate. When Hermione went to the library to study, she even overheard Slytherin students in a corner discussing how they planned to put Gryffindor in their place during the duels.
During Herbology class, Professor Sprout instructed everyone to fertilize the Fanged Geraniums with dragon dung.
"They're saying they're going to give Wood a hard time at the Duelling Club, so he can't play in the Quidditch match," Hermione told Harry.
"Their target isn't me, then?" Harry casually piled dragon dung next to a Fanged Geranium. "Malfoy lost so badly in the last Quidditch match, I thought he'd seize this chance for revenge."
Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "He doesn't even taunt you anymore when he sees you, so how would he dare bother you? By the way, the Duelling Club starts tomorrow night. Aren't you going? I didn't see you hand in an application to Lockhart."
"Of course not," Harry raised an eyebrow. "It's a complete waste of time. What could Lockhart possibly teach?"
Hermione gave Harry a speechless look. "Professor Flitwick will be there too! Didn't you listen to Lockhart's introduction?"
"No, I was spaced out at the time." Harry reached out and took the dragon dung from Hermione's hand. "But considering you don't have a partner, I suppose I'll reluctantly go." Harry's eyebrow twitched. "If Lockhart dares to perform 'How to Defend Against Dark Arts with a Quill' on stage, I'll shove one of George's Tongue-Tying Toffees down his throat."
Hermione imagined the scene and burst out laughing, taking a while to recover. Last time, George had given Harry the Tongue-Tying Toffees as 'first-round investment results' but refused to reveal their effects. Harry had carried the toffee with him, planning to test it on someone, but Hermione had always interrupted him. Finally, Harry found an opportunity and placed the sweet on a table in the common room. Angelina ate the Tongue-Tying Toffee, and her tongue immediately swelled to an enormous size. Angelina had seen the sweets in Fred's pocket before, which was why she mistakenly thought it was a gift from Fred and ate it without a second thought. Fred got a rather rough beating that day, as Angelina simply refused to believe Harry was behind it.
"Hermione, don't try to convince me; I know Fred better than anyone," Angelina said, her foot pressed against Fred's backside.
Just then, Professor Sprout walked over from the other end of the greenhouse, carrying a bundle of Venomous Tentacula. She watched the noisy young wizards and said, "Pay attention! Try to keep the dragon dung away from the Fanged Geranium's cap, or else it will—oops!"
Hermione stuck her tongue out at Harry, then focused on shoveling the dragon dung. Suddenly, the Fanged Geranium Ron was tending to sprayed a puff of spores, startling Ron so much that he bumped right into Professor Sprout. Luckily, Professor Sprout held tightly onto the roots of the Venomous Tentacula, preventing a larger accident.
Harry immediately waved his wand and cast "Wipe Out," while Hermione quickly flipped through her Herbology textbook: "Chapter Three, Section Five, Fanged Geraniums hate having dragon dung on their heads! The solution is to sprinkle Devil's Snare powder?"
Professor Sprout, too busy to scold Ron, extended a large hand and firmly pressed the Fanged Geranium back into place. "Don't panic, this little fellow is just easily scared!" Professor Sprout told Hermione to take some green powder from a leather pouch on her belt and sprinkle it on. The Fanged Geranium immediately wilted. Ron seemed completely oblivious to how dangerous the situation had just been, as he continued to complain, holding his nose, "I almost inhaled that rotten stuff!"
"I told you before to pay attention!" Professor Sprout said, holding the Venomous Tentacula in her arms, ultimately deciding not to deduct points from Ron. "Potter, thank you. Let me see, your spell has earned Gryffindor 5 points!" Ron mumbled something that sounded quite rude, but Professor Sprout had already moved away.
Hermione put down her book. "Harry, thank goodness for you."
"If you weren't right next to me, I wouldn't have done anything," Harry said nonchalantly.
"Harry! Can't you just let me be happy for a few minutes?" Hermione retorted playfully.
Just then, Neville stood next to Professor Sprout. "Look at these lively young children," Professor Sprout said, placing the Venomous Tentacula on a patch of empty soil, where it immediately began to burrow into the ground.
"Professor, could you give me some advice?" Neville hesitated for a while before plucking up the courage to speak.
"You're a Gryffindor student, aren't you?" Professor Sprout glanced at Neville's uniform, then said gently, "Even though we're still in class, I'd be happy to hear your troubles."
"Professor, do you think I should join the Duelling Club?"
"Why not?"
"But I can't find anyone who's willing to be my partner." Neville looked down as he spoke. Professor Sprout removed her gloves and gently stroked his hair.
"Child, I don't know how you perform in your other classes, but in Herbology, you have a remarkable talent."
"I'm far behind Harry and Hermione," Neville said self-deprecatingly.
Professor Sprout looked left and right, then leaned down and whispered, "As a professor, I shouldn't say this, but while Potter is very talented and Granger is incredibly hardworking, neither of them truly love magical plants from the bottom of their hearts. Only you, my dear, I can see that you genuinely adore magical plants."
Professor Sprout's gentle voice seemed to give Neville a burst of courage; he lifted his head. "Professor..." Tears welled in Neville's eyes. It was the first time anyone had praised him directly. Professor Sprout straightened up, picked up a cactus-like plant from a nearby collection of pots, and handed it to Neville. "This is a Mimbulus Mimbletonia. I believe you can take good care of her." Neville solemnly accepted the significant gift. "I will."
After class, a house-elf delivered a note to Harry.
A cold wind was blowing at the top of the Astronomy Tower in the evening. Harry removed his Invisibility Cloak and entered the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore was sitting behind his crescent-shaped desk, holding a piece of wood and arranging a perch for Fawkes. Hearing someone enter, the phoenix lifted its head, its golden eyes shining in the night. Harry noticed that Fawkes had almost lost all his feathers.
"Sit down, Harry," Dumbledore said, pushing a cup of green tea towards him. "Try this; it's green tea from an old friend. While it's not as sweet as black tea, I find a cup at night can be quite refreshing."
Harry took a sip, and warmth flowed down his throat into his stomach. "Is Fawkes about to undergo his burning day?"
"Ah, yes. Harry, don't even think about his feathers." Dumbledore immediately saw what Harry was planning.
Harry took another sip of green tea and asked, "Professor, why did you send for me?"
Dumbledore didn't answer directly, instead asking another question. "Harry, is this Invisibility Cloak useful?"
"Very useful," Harry nodded. "I walked past Professor McGonagall in the castle with it, and she didn't even notice me."
"Then I hope you'll make more time for your nocturnal wanderings."
"Why?"
"I heard from a portrait that you found a fire crab in the Gryffindor common room fireplace," Dumbledore said, twirling the ring on his finger. "You may not know that Hogwarts is protected by ancient magic, and this magical creature, born from flame, has never appeared in Hogwarts before."
Harry was stunned. "You think someone put this fire crab in there?"
"I don't know." Dumbledore frowned. "Perhaps another young wizard brought it in, perhaps it was drawn by Parseltongue, or perhaps it was the attacker's doing." Dumbledore paused, his gaze deepening. "Either way, we can't just sit back and wait. I've already sent Severus to probe Lucius Malfoy."
Harry suddenly chuckled. "Didn't you used to be reluctant to let me know so much?"
"I've searched all the sewers of Hogwarts and found nothing," Dumbledore said, standing up and walking to the window, looking out at the Forbidden Forest. "I'm thinking perhaps the Chamber of Secrets, only Parseltongue can find its entrance."
"I remember you saying you could speak Parseltongue too?" Harry asked, confused.
"I learned it, but you were born with it," Dumbledore explained. "Only natural Parselmouths can command ordinary snakes and befriend magical ones. I can only understand what snakes say."
Harry toyed with the teacup in his hand. "Aren't you worried I might get petrified too?"
Dumbledore placed his hands on the windowsill. "Some Mediterranean wizarding books say that while Parselmouths cannot directly control a Basilisk, they can use their magical ability to be immune to the dangers of its eyes."
Harry frowned. "That doesn't sound safe at all."
"Danger is always present, Harry," Dumbledore turned around, his gaze gentle but firm. "Some things you will have to face sooner or later. Go to the Duelling Club tomorrow. Learn well—not just to fight your enemies, but to protect those you care about."
Fawkes suddenly spread his wings, and golden feathers drifted down onto Harry's cloak. Harry looked at the feather, suddenly remembering Hermione's bushy hair, her triumphant expression checking her teeth in the mirror, and the blush on her ears when she turned away.
"I will," he said.
As Harry opened the door to leave, Dumbledore suddenly remembered something. "Wait a moment, Harry. I almost forgot to mention, you must wear your Invisibility Cloak when you're wandering at night. If I'm not mistaken, that Basilisk definitely has an owner."
Harry didn't turn back, merely waved a hand behind him, signaling that he understood.